Page:Robert the Bruce and the struggle for Scottish independence - 1909.djvu/47

ON July II, 1274, was born one who was destined to have more lasting influence on the standing of Scotland among the nations, and thereby to mould more powerfully the characters and fortunes of Scotsmen, than any who had gone before, or who should, during the three succeeding centuries, follow him.

Robert de Brus, or Bruce, as the name has come to be written, was eighth in direct male descent from a Norman baron who came to England with William the Conqueror. In the roll of knights who took part in William's expedition, mention is made of li sires de Breaux e due sens des homes —the lords of Breaux with two hundred men. It is the only in-stance in the roll quoted by Leland where the num-